tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3538045393841574427Wed, 25 Feb 2015 00:52:50 +0000mindful momentsstylebon appetiteveryday living Coco in MagnoliaMaking the most out of every day. Inspirational living with Coco in Magnolia.http://www.cocoinmagnolia.com/noreply@blogger.com (CocoinMagnolia)Blogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3538045393841574427.post-9215146335914806271Mon, 23 Feb 2015 23:37:00 +00002015-02-23T15:48:59.216-08:00Here's the Real Deal...So, I'm going to give this blog one more try. &nbsp;I stepped away from writing and sharing my thoughts for quite awhile. &nbsp;This blog started out with me, Coco, writing just about everything under the sun from organizing under my kitchen cabinets, to food challenges, blogger award interviews, what I was wearing for the day, to writing about my Pinterest boards. &nbsp;Blah, blah, blah, bleh, phew! Well, none of that was me. &nbsp;I was all over the place with no borders to contain me. &nbsp;And I deleted most of those posts five minutes ago, gak!<br /><div><br /></div><div>No one (believe me), no one wants or cares to read about what I wore on any given day. &nbsp;It's not exciting. &nbsp;There are no designer labels, sparkles, or fluff on this gal. &nbsp;And even though I devour reading cookbooks and foodie blogs, I really don't step out of the five core meals a week menu. &nbsp;It's a sad misfortune for my family. &nbsp;Organization is in my bag of tricks. &nbsp;But, I am so stinkin' good at it that there is no need to write about it. &nbsp;It's all put away, labeled, packed up, thrown out, zipped up, well...you get the picture. &nbsp;Kidding, that was a joke. &nbsp;I have one pile, ok. &nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>Through my guilt of feeling like a quitter (since May 2014), I decided to think...what is the subject matter that excites me the most? &nbsp;What's my passion? &nbsp;It's inspirational living! &nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>Inspirational living, now that's my passion. &nbsp;That's what I strive for each day. &nbsp;I drink that stuff up lock, stock, and barrel. &nbsp;I absorb inspirational living from the books I read each day, youtube videos I watch while on the elliptical (Hay House shoutout), listening to the amazing people in my life, actually attempting a new recipe, being with my family and available to my friends, painting Frida's, painting chandeliers, the list never ends. &nbsp;Inspirational living is all encompassing.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, I will try to tie all those things together with a little glue called cohesiveness. &nbsp;I will cinch up my belt and have a tighter blog and feel a little better about Coco in Magnolia.</div><div><br /></div><div>Inspirational living is the goal. &nbsp;Let's learn and grow together.&nbsp;</div><div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">#stayweird</div><div style="text-align: center;">-Graham Moore</div></div><div style="text-align: center;">Chow,</div><div><br /></div><div></div>http://www.cocoinmagnolia.com/2015/02/heres-real-deal.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (CocoinMagnolia)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3538045393841574427.post-2253868063286604028Fri, 02 May 2014 16:13:00 +00002014-05-05T10:09:28.657-07:00A Spot of Tea with Mum<div style="text-align: center;">As far as her mom was concerned, tea fixed everything.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Have a cold? &nbsp;Have some tea.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Broken bones? There's tea for that too.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Somewhere in her mother's pantry, Laurel suspects, was a box of tea that said,</div><div style="text-align: center;">'In case of Armageddon, steep three to five minutes'."</div><div style="text-align: center;">-Aprilynne Pike, <i>Illusions</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vUqJOalpBq8/U2O8jYy4qgI/AAAAAAAAGRA/QtapMKAP5z4/s1600/IMG_7031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vUqJOalpBq8/U2O8jYy4qgI/AAAAAAAAGRA/QtapMKAP5z4/s1600/IMG_7031.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Btw doesn't her skin look amazing! She's in her 70's ya'll. &nbsp;Note to self, take care of my skin.</span></span></div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Ok, I don't really call my mom, mum, but I like the way it reads. &nbsp;So pinch me. &nbsp;Two things the mom and I have in common: our love for the still, quite time a hot cup of tea brings and the elegance and beauty of Paris. &nbsp;And being that I love both, she probably had something to do with that. &nbsp;And probably my love for dishes too, blue and white dishes to be exact. &nbsp;</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Every time my mom visits, we spend the first hour of our morning sitting together chit chatting over a cup of tea in the courtyard. During her last visit, as we were packing the car with her things for her trip back home, she gave me the prettiest bone china tea cup. &nbsp;It has soft pink roses with the word 'Paris' inscribed. &nbsp;</span></span><br /><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">She explained she bought two. &nbsp;One for me and one for her. &nbsp;She told me each time I make a cup of hot tea to let her know. &nbsp;She will stop what she's doing and pour a cup for herself in the same tea cup so we can have our tea together. Here we are yesterday having our tea together. &nbsp;She's sitting on her back patio after a long day of teaching and I am sitting at home just before I cook dinner.</span></span><br /><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">When I open the cupboard and see my Paris tea cup. &nbsp;I think of her and our special mornings together. &nbsp;Even though it is not as good as sipping tea with her here in the courtyard. &nbsp;I can still pour a cup with my mom anytime I want.</span><br /><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">I think this is my favorite gift from her. &nbsp;It was a true&nbsp;sentiment &nbsp;of thoughtfulness. &nbsp;I will guard this tea cup with my life. &nbsp; &nbsp;</span></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yAgoIvPgNm4/U2PA_IvNnrI/AAAAAAAAGRk/7duL6gRde1w/s1600/DSCF0266.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yAgoIvPgNm4/U2PA_IvNnrI/AAAAAAAAGRk/7duL6gRde1w/s1600/DSCF0266.jpg" height="640" width="529" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Mom and I walking along the Seine River in Paris</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Do you want to feel inspired to live bigger?</div><div style="text-align: center;">Do you want to feel inspired to do more?</div><div style="text-align: center;">For you, me, and everyone around you?</div><div style="text-align: center;">It's about the dominoe effect.<br />So have a spot of tea with mum and me as you watch this short video.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://tentree.com/">Tentree</a></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://ytimg.googleusercontent.com/vi/Vo415EiyNXI/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/Vo415EiyNXI&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/Vo415EiyNXI&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Have an awesome weekend erbody.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Cheers,</div><br />http://www.cocoinmagnolia.com/2014/05/a-spot-of-tea-with-mum.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (CocoinMagnolia)15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3538045393841574427.post-4332019220984267048Wed, 30 Apr 2014 17:52:00 +00002014-05-05T10:12:36.956-07:00mindful momentsstyleA Real Answer for An Honest Question<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">How do you spell 'love'?" - Piglet</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">"You don't spell it...you feel it." - Pooh”&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">―&nbsp;</span><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/81466.A_A_Milne" style="background-color: white; color: #666600; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">A.A. Milne</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://ytimg.googleusercontent.com/vi/UdDyTbfaB7o/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/UdDyTbfaB7o&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/UdDyTbfaB7o&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdDyTbfaB7o">youtube - Own tv</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">I &nbsp;think Goldie hit the nail on the head here. &nbsp;I hope you take a moment and view the answer she gave her daughter, who was four at the time, about whether God was her cousin. I mean, how stinkin' honest and inquisitive is that question coming from a small child. &nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Goldie received some flack in the comment section on youtube for her answer. &nbsp;I think she gave an age appropriate response to a four year old child. &nbsp;Some got hung up on doctrine and failed to see her point. &nbsp;Small children are more literal than abstract thinkers. &nbsp;Her answer was age relatable to what a four year old could understand. &nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I think she's right. &nbsp;Joy, happiness, patience, acceptance, kindness, generosity, and humility are Universal laws (or God's laws) which one can know and experience by feel. &nbsp;Or in your gut, as I would say. Like her, I know that I feel God. I feel Him in the warmth of the sun that shines on my skin. I see Him in the colorful, vibrant flowers in my garden. &nbsp;I receive Him in the kindness of friendly smile when I least expect it. &nbsp;I hear Him through the melodies of music and the precious giggles of my children. &nbsp;I feel His generosity when someone reaches out to me when I am in need. &nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Just take a simple barefoot walk in the grass and let yourself feel Him.</div><div style="text-align: center;">How about it?&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">As you root yourself with nature,&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;">check out&nbsp;<a href="http://tentree.com/">tentree</a>&nbsp; and learn how along with<a href="http://www.tentree.com/womens.html"> tentree</a>,</div><div style="text-align: center;">each of us has the ability to contribute to the social well-being of our environment.</div><div style="text-align: center;">For each <a href="http://www.tentree.com/mens.html">purchase</a>, 10 trees are planted.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>http://www.cocoinmagnolia.com/2014/04/a-real-answer-for-honest-question.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (CocoinMagnolia)7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3538045393841574427.post-56023475247358591Mon, 28 Apr 2014 19:05:00 +00002015-02-23T13:46:14.493-08:00mindful momentsBelieve Me-<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">When people show you who they are believe them.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">-Maya Angelou</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U9YBC6t6rOc/U16ltIsqLyI/AAAAAAAAGQI/KA5nR7nX6DY/s1600/believe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U9YBC6t6rOc/U16ltIsqLyI/AAAAAAAAGQI/KA5nR7nX6DY/s1600/believe.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">-the players</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;">I believe this quote is a definite Universal law. &nbsp;Generally, when I think of this infamous quote from Maya it is in the form of someone I need to be cautious of. &nbsp;You know, the person who has shown to be untrustworthy, gossipy, &nbsp;or attracts drama in some way. &nbsp;There have been times in my life when I've been drawn to people that initially I think rock. &nbsp;But, sadly with time realize are not necessarily good for me in the long run. It is usually when I am in a transition of some sort. &nbsp;Through trial and error I have learned what those traits are and steer clear.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Yesterday, I experienced an 'ah-ha' moment while watching my pets interact. &nbsp;As I watched the scene play out in front of me, out of the blue, this quote from Maya immediately popped into my head. &nbsp;When people show you who they are believe them. &nbsp;Yet, it was on a positive note. Not my standard, holy cow take mental note and watch out kind of way. </span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">It began with Mrs. Ferguson our rescue cat. She is the quintessential feline; unflappable, savvy, resourceful, and a total zen chick. &nbsp;Then there is Jesse. &nbsp;The typical friendly, lick your face (or anything stationary for that matter), people pleaser golden retriever. &nbsp;Whom quickly learned that she and Mrs. Ferfuson were not going to be besties immediately. &nbsp;And last, Shatzi, the snappy little malitpoo. &nbsp;Who in time realized she had to share, "Her kingdom," that she guards and reigns over as Mrs. Ferguson was not going to be a mere guest. </span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">In the scene Mrs. Ferguson stayed true to who she is. &nbsp;Laying sprawled out on the floor like Cleopatra as Jesse, head down, saunters quietly by her with a flailing tail and friendly glance as if to say, "Hello! I'm here if you wanna play. &nbsp;Can I lick your face today?" &nbsp;And Shatzi napping nearby with a half watchful eye guarding the two of them amid her imaginary kingdom.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Mrs. Ferguson sitting pretty while outstretched across the cool floor knows she will not become the slurpy to Jesse's wandering tongue. &nbsp;And confident to know Shatzi is guarding her and not laying siege to her. &nbsp;She taught them early on that she wants to be left alone until she decides otherwise. &nbsp;They took note. &nbsp;They believe her. &nbsp;And they like her for it.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span><span style="text-align: center;">"Don't walk behind me; I may not lead. &nbsp;Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow. &nbsp;Just walk beside me and be my friend." -Albert Camus</span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 18px;"></span><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 18px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: large;">Please stop by&nbsp;<a href="http://tentree.com/">tentree.com</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span><br /><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 18px;">For every purchase &nbsp;10 trees are planted.</span></span><br /><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 18px;">Can you believe? &nbsp;I do!&nbsp;</span></span><br /><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Stay tuned...I will be blogging about this fabulous company and all that they are doing for all of us!&nbsp;</span></span><br /><br /></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"></span>http://www.cocoinmagnolia.com/2014/04/believe-me.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (CocoinMagnolia)7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3538045393841574427.post-4646249641861874359Tue, 25 Feb 2014 18:59:00 +00002014-04-30T15:54:20.276-07:00styleAging Gracefully...A Real Knee Slapper!<div style="text-align: center;">I'm aging, and the world is seeing it.<br />-Ray Romano</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TbSS3DDN-Uo/UwzlileRncI/AAAAAAAAGLc/1aE3qKLGlDw/s1600/IMG_5428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TbSS3DDN-Uo/UwzlileRncI/AAAAAAAAGLc/1aE3qKLGlDw/s1600/IMG_5428.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div><br /></div>Around my birthday for the last several years, &nbsp;age decides to pull a cute little knee slapper on me. &nbsp;"Hey, you're the bees knees. Ha, I got you to look, just take a gander at those suckers. &nbsp;Don't look the same as when you were 20 or 30, do they? &nbsp;And wait, Oh I'm laughing too hard, look in the mirror. &nbsp;Yes, just around the corner of your mouth...right there...where you smile. &nbsp;See that? &nbsp;Why ain't that funny!" <br /><br />Aging gracefully, that is the knee slapping question. &nbsp;What is aging gracefully how the heck can I get 'er done? &nbsp;I happen to think it lies within one's attitude and self awareness. &nbsp;I watched Deepak on Super Soul Sunday and he spoke about his wife being his teacher on self-esteem. &nbsp;He said her innate high self-esteem taught him, "Do not confuse your image with your self. &nbsp;The real self within you is beneath no one. &nbsp;It's immune to criticism and it's fearless." Deepak explains, "Your self image is what other people think of you and your self is what you think of you." <br /><br />Knowing yourself is about self-confidence, attitude, acceptance, and general happiness. &nbsp;Let's be real, caring about how others see us is just part of human nature. &nbsp;I'm not opposed to anyone getting a little repair work. &nbsp;Hey, a little self-maintenance never hurts in the self-esteem department. &nbsp;But how much is too much and for whom is it being done? Personally, I'm exhausted at what I see on the tele. &nbsp;A lot of women my age with overly plumped up faces and lips trying to hold on to the way they looked in their 20's. &nbsp;What's wrong with looking 40, 50, 60, or 70 and being fearless to outward criticism?<br /><br />I get it, I want to look decent when I look in the mirror at my image. &nbsp;I would be lying if I said it didn't matter, because it does. &nbsp;I wish I were more evolved. &nbsp;But I do know, self care is crucial. Caring for what I eat, how I groom, how I keep my muscles strong. &nbsp;I like to eat healthy and work out, because I like how it makes me feel on the inside and how it makes me look (image) on the outside. &nbsp;It all boils down to balance. &nbsp;Do what 'cha gotta do. <br /><br />As for now, I choose self, which includes a little here (work my body-self image) and a lot there (work my attitude-self). &nbsp; So, I'll be the 40+ year old with the fine lines, wrinkles, and creases around the knees. &nbsp;Because it's gonna happen and I'm ok with that image. &nbsp;But, I won't lie. &nbsp;I'll do what I gotta do and slow it down with a good dose of Olay Regenerist cream slathered on the face nightly and the daily squats to rock that once 20 year old tight ass!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">"Nothing brings down walls as surely as acceptance."</div><div style="text-align: center;">-Deepak Chopra, <i>The Third Jesus: &nbsp;The Christ We Cannot Ignore</i></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sevenly.org/">Sevenly.org</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">This weeks cause: &nbsp;4 Paws 4 Ability. Their mission is to place quality service dogs with children with disabilities and veterans who have lost use of limbs and hearing; help with animal rescue, and educate the public regarding use of service dogs in public places.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z9mijB03GGc/UwzwdRwgvRI/AAAAAAAAGLs/L8UYBG6NezE/s1600/0001174-heroes-flowy-dolman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z9mijB03GGc/UwzwdRwgvRI/AAAAAAAAGLs/L8UYBG6NezE/s1600/0001174-heroes-flowy-dolman.jpg" height="320" width="257" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Just a sampling of the super cool tee's available this week. &nbsp;</div>http://www.cocoinmagnolia.com/2014/02/aging-gracefullya-real-knee-slapper.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (CocoinMagnolia)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3538045393841574427.post-839493390609306752Sat, 22 Feb 2014 05:18:00 +00002014-03-19T16:02:26.458-07:00styleDummie's Guide to Blog Post Titles...<div style="text-align: center;">Is it weird in here, or is it just me?</div><div style="text-align: center;">-Steven Wright<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GseIzuPNR2g/UwdGxifbxwI/AAAAAAAAGLE/ZfS1AvT9Zvo/s1600/icon-25523_640.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GseIzuPNR2g/UwdGxifbxwI/AAAAAAAAGLE/ZfS1AvT9Zvo/s1600/icon-25523_640.png" height="318" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.google.com/search?as_q=cool+sunglasses&amp;tbs=sur:fmc&amp;tbm=isch#facrc=_&amp;imgdii=dGHOxRhqHzq89M%3A%3BJIsRphV3bQpMUM%3BdGHOxRhqHzq89M%3A&amp;imgrc=dGHOxRhqHzq89M%253A%3Bccsa74_69LgRZM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fpixabay.com%252Fstatic%252Fuploads%252Fphoto%252F2012%252F04%252F05%252F01%252F07%252Ficon-25523_640.png%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fpixabay.com%252Fen%252Ficon-glass-people-happy-chat-25523%252F%3B640%3B637">creativecommons</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Oh boy, oh boy...I just thought I was oh, so very popular in the blogging world. &nbsp;Even with my brief hiatus of, "Finding my blogging voice." I kept getting numerous hits and my numbers were oh, so wonderfully high.<br /><br />Allow me to give you a little back story...we bloggers like to check our stat reports on our blog traffic from time to time. &nbsp;How many hits did I get today, week, month? &nbsp;It's a fun game (let's be real it's good for the ego). Also, you can see where your hits are coming from. &nbsp;And you can even go to sites like <a href="http://vampirestat.com/">vampirestat.com&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;and plug in your blog name and view what your 'blog worth' is at the moment. &nbsp;Yea, it's true. &nbsp;And I have no idea what that actually means and how to even utilize informatin like that. <br /><br />As I was going through finding my blog voice crisis, I kept getting all these anonymous hits and my somewhat high traffic numbers just didn't make sense to me. &nbsp;I was like what the? &nbsp;Golly gee you really, really like me (my Sally Field Oscar moment)! Gosh, I feel so important, <i>face blushing,&nbsp;hands in pockets, foot kicking up sand. &nbsp;</i><br /><br />The funny thing is, most of the time the hits are on this one <a href="http://www.cocoinmagnolia.com/2013/08/all-women-stalk.html">particular post</a>&nbsp;of mine. Hmmm...head scratcher. &nbsp;I can be a bit naive and slow to react at times. &nbsp;This seems odd, maybe I should look in to this. Why is this one blog post title, My Favorite App...AllWomenStalk,&nbsp;getting so many hits and where are they coming from? <br /><br />Well, I'll just check and click.click.click on these sites that are just so supportive of me!&nbsp;Oh.My.Goodness. Who is this lady? What.is.she.doingggg? &nbsp;Oh, golly gee, hello skin...how in the?...hello things I really do.not.need.to.see! &nbsp;Grab yo sunglasses 'cuz the sun is shinin' and it ain't in the sky.&nbsp;&nbsp;Get my drift...&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">If it's a penny for your thoughts and you put in your two cents worth, then someone, somewhere is making a penny.</div><div style="text-align: center;">-Steven Wright</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>http://www.cocoinmagnolia.com/2014/02/dummies-guide-to-blog-post-titles.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (CocoinMagnolia)9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3538045393841574427.post-2049610916142798254Wed, 19 Feb 2014 14:41:00 +00002014-05-02T13:39:54.511-07:00mindful momentsSelf Care Says What?<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">“I took a deep breath and listened to the old brag of my heart. I am, I am, I am.”&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">―&nbsp;</span><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4379.Sylvia_Plath" style="background-color: white; color: #666600; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">Sylvia Plath</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">,&nbsp;</span><i style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/1385044" style="color: #666600; text-decoration: none;">The Bell Jar</a></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lCpBjNxYBDo/UwTBLvc05iI/AAAAAAAAGKo/Wzmtp773IFo/s1600/IMG_1816.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lCpBjNxYBDo/UwTBLvc05iI/AAAAAAAAGKo/Wzmtp773IFo/s1600/IMG_1816.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I can recall three times in my life when words literally <span style="font-size: large;">jumped </span>off the page from what I was reading. &nbsp;It was like I had a magnifying glass embedded in my eyes. &nbsp;Each time this happened to me, I was looking for answers for something I was going through. &nbsp;The first time was when I was a teenager and reading from my bible. &nbsp;Second, when I was a newlywed and reading from a newspaper. &nbsp;The third time was just the other day when I was reading from a text from a really good friend of mine (I like to call her one of my life teachers).</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I was having one of those self-pity days and complaining and whining about feeling like a bloated whale and not wanting to give up a certain thing in my diet that makes me feel special (but not really good for me), grande soy latte anyone? &nbsp;Poor me. Yea, like whatever, <i>as she pointedly flips her hair</i>. &nbsp;This is what I read, "Use the way you are feeling about your body to start on a new path to <span style="font-size: large;">self care</span>."<span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span>Willis said what?<br /><br />Why are the words self care vibrating in large font in front of my eyes? &nbsp;What the? &nbsp;Self-care? Ohhhh...I get it. &nbsp;It's about having concern for myself and not about self deprivation. I never thought of it that way. I need to change how I think. &nbsp;I need to change my perspective of poor, pitiful me look what I need to give up because I am unable to feel special without it, <i>as she removes the latte from her mouth</i>. &nbsp;Instead, see it through the eyes of this is the change I should make in order to feel better and take better care of myself. &nbsp;It's a good thing!<br /><br />The conversation was more than just the drink. The point she was making is if I am feeling unease in my body that means I must not be taking care of me. How can I find a solution while complaining about the problem? Instead, use the way I feel as fuel to drive my thinking on a new path of self care. &nbsp;As my parents would say, Hallelujah Nathan!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">"Reality is a projection of your thoughts or the things you habitually think about."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">-Stephen Richards</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>http://www.cocoinmagnolia.com/2014/02/self-care-says-what.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (CocoinMagnolia)7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3538045393841574427.post-3577087944423522745Tue, 18 Feb 2014 15:16:00 +00002014-05-02T13:44:02.469-07:00everyday livingThey Say....<div style="text-align: center;">We think we live in the world, but the world lives in us.</div><div style="text-align: center;">-Deepak Chopra</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/search?q=deepak&amp;search%5Bsource%5D=goodreads&amp;search_type=quotes&amp;tab=quotes">via</a></span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mlzH104RTOE/UwN6-lpdVJI/AAAAAAAAGKM/aZDUu0rMZVo/s1600/Forrest-Gump1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mlzH104RTOE/UwN6-lpdVJI/AAAAAAAAGKM/aZDUu0rMZVo/s1600/Forrest-Gump1.jpg" height="464" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.google.com/search?as_q=box+of+chocolates&amp;tbs=sur:fmc&amp;tbm=isch#facrc=0%3Bbox%20of%20chocolates%20forrest%20gump&amp;imgdii=_&amp;imgrc=_">creativecommons</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>They say...life is like a box of chocolates and you never know what you're going to get. &nbsp;You could also say, "You never know what to expect next." &nbsp;In the movie, <u>Forrest Gump</u>, &nbsp;Mama says to Forrest further in the quote, "You know, they've got these chocolate assortments, and you like some but you don't like others? &nbsp;And you eat all the ones you don't like as much? &nbsp;I always think about that when something painful comes up." So, as the saying goes, each chocolate is different and you never know what you're going to bite in to. <br /><br />The box of chocolate is just like our life. &nbsp;As each piece of chocolate is different and unique, so is each day that we are so fortunate to wake up to and breath in. &nbsp;Chaos and circumstances can arise that challenge us and test our integrity and character. &nbsp;Or, the day can hold beauty, laughter, and happiness if we are wise enough to recognize its power.<br /><br />As Deepak conveys in the quote above, we all live in the same world, however the way we live is established on how we were trained, what we know based on our experiences, and how those experiences and training create the way we think. &nbsp;For instance, when life presents a challenge how will you spin that challenge in your mind? &nbsp;Where will you allow your thoughts to go?<br /><br />I believe our thoughts create our world. &nbsp;And the universe will match those thoughts. &nbsp;So if we are choosing happiness or acceptance, then the universe will give us a match. &nbsp;If we are choosing bitterness or victimization then the universe will find a perfect fit for that too. <br /><br />So how do we better our thoughts to make sure we don't allow them to spin out of control? &nbsp;Well, we can relax (breathe), take a step back (remove ourselves from the situation either physically or mentally), and view the circumstance from all view points. &nbsp;Not just our own ego driven view point.<br /><br />Instead of reacting (or over reacting) we can make a conscious choice how and where we allow our emotions to go and not compete with the insulted emotion. &nbsp;And last, talk with ourselves. &nbsp;Think positively and have confidence in our own abilities, which can help you and me overcome the challenges that life brings...<span style="text-align: center;">"Now just polish these off, and everything will be ok, life is like a box of chocolates."</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The greater part of human pain is unnecessary. &nbsp;It is self-created as long as the unobserved mind runs your life.</div><div style="text-align: center;">-Eckhart Tolle</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/search?utf8=%E2%9C%93&amp;q=eckhart+tolle&amp;search_type=quotes">via</a></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">A shout out to my new fabulous friends Lisa, Memaw, and Auntie Bert (The Forga Clan)! &nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;">Thank you for our fun conversation and kind, encouraging words about this blog. &nbsp;</div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Peace Bella's,</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sevenly.org/">Sevenly.org</a>&nbsp;charity of the week End7, your purchase protects 14 children from 7 debilitating diseases for 1 year</div></div><div><br /></div>http://www.cocoinmagnolia.com/2014/02/they-say.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (CocoinMagnolia)7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3538045393841574427.post-2102638296960753225Thu, 19 Dec 2013 15:09:00 +00002013-12-19T14:00:33.097-08:00mindful momentsstyleLet that Hair Whip in the Wind Ya'll!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XA2rWFTI1Lc/UrMDR4YPCFI/AAAAAAAAGJM/PBI8ekOC6Lo/s1600/dog-fast-car-goggles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="346" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XA2rWFTI1Lc/UrMDR4YPCFI/AAAAAAAAGJM/PBI8ekOC6Lo/s640/dog-fast-car-goggles.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.craveonline.com/lifestyle/articles/185637-7-dogs-in-fast-cars">via</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">"I am living breathing freedom"</div><div style="text-align: center;">-Hiroko Sakai</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I was driving home from taking my knuckleheads to school this morning and witnessed a dog leaning out the back seat window of a car. &nbsp;As I was watching the dog's hair blowing in the wind, big huge smile on his face (or wind in his cheeks.it's how you look at it), and his chest out with his body standing bold without a care in the world a few things came over me. &nbsp;First, the word carefree came to mind. &nbsp;Second, the feeling of happiness (because I smiled), laughter (because he was so stinkn' cute he made me chuckle), and pleasure (because he looked like he was enjoying himself). &nbsp;Third, the concept that acting carefree brings on the feeling of freedom. &nbsp;And freedom mixed with happiness, laughter, and pleasure breeds contentment. &nbsp;And contentment means an ease of mind which fuels the thought that life is yours and you can control it. &nbsp;It's that simple.</div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;"For after all, the best thing one can do when it is raining is let it rain."</div><div style="text-align: center;">-Henry Wadsworth Longfellow</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">For your last minute Christmas shopping please stop by&nbsp;<a href="http://www.sevenly.org/">Sevenly</a>. &nbsp;Charity of the week is Invisible Girl Project. &nbsp;Let's help give young girls of India a chance to know what it feels like to be and feel carefree. &nbsp;As of this posting over $18,000 has been raised this week.</div>http://www.cocoinmagnolia.com/2013/12/let-that-hair-whip-in-wind-yall.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (CocoinMagnolia)13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3538045393841574427.post-4954781103579467936Tue, 17 Dec 2013 15:55:00 +00002014-02-26T09:42:20.800-08:00mindful momentsKindness is a Non-Negotiable<div style="text-align: center;">"Three things in human life are important: &nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;">the first is to be kind; the second is to be kind; and the third is to be kind."</div><div style="text-align: center;">-Henry James</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kYwJp5jn97E/UrByYCLzykI/AAAAAAAAGI8/VSfbBnWHcN8/s1600/4582294721_7d9c5ea7dd_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kYwJp5jn97E/UrByYCLzykI/AAAAAAAAGI8/VSfbBnWHcN8/s640/4582294721_7d9c5ea7dd_o.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0000ee; font-size: xx-small;"><u>creative-commons</u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I live by what I like to call my non-negotiables. &nbsp;My brother was my biggest teacher with this concept. &nbsp;My number one non-negotiable is kindness. &nbsp;To me, kindness is the easiest and most simple push of the little black and white chip in the domino effect of living in harmony and peacefully with ourselves and others.<br /><br />With kindness you will find: &nbsp;Helpfulness and without disagreement; friendliness and without hurtful behavior; graciousness and without sarcasm; patience and without resistance; compassion and without indifference; mindfulness and without bitterness.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Kindness starts with how we treat ourselves and how we treat the people (or animals) we live with. &nbsp;It begins with a smile. &nbsp;It ends with the way we interact and react with each other, even when we don't feel like it or it's just plain hard. &nbsp;We don't always get it right. But it's a mindful effort. <br /><br />I teach my knuckleheads all the time that if they are not speaking and acting kindly to each other and then show kindness to their friends, teachers, or strangers then it's dishonest. Bottom line, it's fake. &nbsp;It's not living an authentic life. <br /><br />For kindness starts with the ones that are closest to us. &nbsp;The ones we rely on daily. &nbsp;The ones we live with. &nbsp;The ones we seek comfort from. How can we treat our brother, sister, mother, spouse, father, roommate, or pet unkindly and then go out to the world and show kindness to the the checkout lady at the grocer? &nbsp;Doesn't make sense to me. &nbsp;It starts at home. That's where kindness begins. &nbsp;Then, it will trickle down to every being we come in contact with.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;">Where does kindness start with you?</div><div style="text-align: center;">"All I'm saying is, kindness don't have no boundaries."</div><div style="text-align: center;">-Kathryn Stockett, <i>The Help</i></div><b style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></b>http://www.cocoinmagnolia.com/2013/12/kindness-is-non-negotiable.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (CocoinMagnolia)11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3538045393841574427.post-3595120406447723186Mon, 16 Dec 2013 20:26:00 +00002013-12-16T20:58:56.847-08:00mindful momentsTotally Full of It -This is hitting home!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-97FGbiEEWsk/Uq9gaNJB4lI/AAAAAAAAGIs/soyix5m1mko/s1600/8226451812_e197931e26_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-97FGbiEEWsk/Uq9gaNJB4lI/AAAAAAAAGIs/soyix5m1mko/s640/8226451812_e197931e26_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Could she be reading my mind? &nbsp;Is she psychic? &nbsp;Have my thoughts transcended in to someone else's brain? &nbsp;Is that even possible? &nbsp;I see it as a miracle when I come across an article or over-hear a conversation about something I am struggling with. &nbsp;It's like the person is reading my stinkin' mind and saying just what I am having trouble putting in to my own words or down in writing. &nbsp;Yes folks, it's no coincidence when this happens. &nbsp;I think it's law of attraction. &nbsp;I believe when we stumble upon these, "Did that person just read my mind?"convo's," it's the universes way of saying you are not alone...step across the line and join the club (I am sure my english teacher friends are going to rip me on my sentence structure today, oh well). I have attracted what I have been focusing my mind on. My struggle with blogging.&nbsp;</div><br />I feel like I am either at a stop sign or crossroads with blogging. &nbsp;I have no idea how I stumbled upon the blog&nbsp;<a href="http://www.totallyfullofit.com/2013/12/06/blogging-hiatus/">Full of it</a>. &nbsp;But hallalur!&nbsp;I am glad I did. &nbsp;I hope you take the time to read her article, <a href="http://www.totallyfullofit.com/2013/12/06/blogging-hiatus/">Hanging up my Blogging Stocking</a>. &nbsp;She wrote exactly what I have been feeling, thinking, grieving, and struggling with self disappointment over. &nbsp;She validated that it is ok to take a break from something worth doing. &nbsp;Sometimes, blogging can get overwhelming with grinding out somewhat interesting, entertaining, or uplifting content. &nbsp;At times, I have felt like I've been ho'ing myself out through social media just to gain traffic, bleh. &nbsp;After reading her article, &nbsp;I feel a bit more empowered and feeling it is ok to take a step back and reevaluate. &nbsp;It doesn't mean that I am necessarily moving backwards. &nbsp;Which is what I had convinced myself of. &nbsp;Hiatus or no hiatus. &nbsp;But not forever. &nbsp;I hope you'll come back now, ya hear.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">A challenge only becomes an obstacle when you bow to it.”&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">―&nbsp;</span><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1515244.Ray_Davis" style="background-color: white; color: #666600; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">Ray Davis</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/overcoming"><span style="font-size: x-small;">source</span></a></div>http://www.cocoinmagnolia.com/2013/12/totally-full-of-it-this-is-hitting-home.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (CocoinMagnolia)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3538045393841574427.post-1605141445482801231Thu, 24 Oct 2013 15:30:00 +00002013-12-19T07:26:33.422-08:00mindful momentsstyleThe Tiny Mad Idea<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qz8HhSqZHZs/UmkuAiks1_I/AAAAAAAAGIE/L1PasSxvLQQ/s1600/DSCF0810.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="338" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qz8HhSqZHZs/UmkuAiks1_I/AAAAAAAAGIE/L1PasSxvLQQ/s640/DSCF0810.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Today remind yourself to appreciate every aspect of where you are today in mind, spirit, body, and circumstance. &nbsp;Not where you were yesterday or where you think you want to be tomorrow. &nbsp;For some reason this morning, I remembered a statement that was told to me when I was 19 years old by my much older and wiser friend of 23 (I know...perspective right). &nbsp;I remember I was complaining or whining or both about some sort of self-image issue. &nbsp;Which&nbsp;probably sounded something like, "I wish my thighs were skinnier, ugh!" The reality of course, they were already itty bitty to begin with. &nbsp;We both were aerobic instructors at the time, late '80's, so go figure. &nbsp;She said to appreciate everything about myself now, because one day I will look back and see myself for how I really was and wonder what was all the worry and self-doubt about. &nbsp;Because it all existed in my mind. &nbsp;And mind meaning my ego. <br /><br />There's a great vlog about releasing the ego over at&nbsp;<a href="http://gabbyb.tv/">gabby.tv&nbsp;</a>&nbsp; She hit the nail on the head when she quoted a message from the book,&nbsp;<u>A Course in Miracles,</u>&nbsp;&nbsp;which is to laugh at the ego's tiny mad idea. &nbsp;Gabby say's to laugh, think, and talk your way out of the ego's mad idea to see the insanity in it. &nbsp;This breaks the hold it has on you and causes you to detach from the ego's&nbsp;tiny mad idea. &nbsp;Go check out her <a href="http://gabbyb.tv/">vlog</a>&nbsp;to get a better understanding of what she is talking about. &nbsp;And live in the moment along with me today.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">"I am beginning to measure myself in strength, not pounds. &nbsp;Sometimes in smiles."</div><div style="text-align: center;">-Laurie Halse Anderson, <i>Wintergirls</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><i></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/self-image"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">&nbsp;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">source</span></span></a></div>http://www.cocoinmagnolia.com/2013/10/the-tiny-mad-idea.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (CocoinMagnolia)6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3538045393841574427.post-5001765047277294096Sat, 19 Oct 2013 21:38:00 +00002015-02-23T13:52:49.108-08:00mindful momentsLife's Passage's<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AZOCRJKhliM/UmL7R7zw6uI/AAAAAAAAGHU/L3v_pG41_Sw/s1600/IMG_3171.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AZOCRJKhliM/UmL7R7zw6uI/AAAAAAAAGHU/L3v_pG41_Sw/s640/IMG_3171.PNG" height="388" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Friends change like rites of passage and it's important to keep people in your life who make you shine brighter and reflect who you are.<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 17px; line-height: 27px;">&nbsp; -</span><span style="line-height: 27px;">Latham Thomas</span></span></div></div>http://www.cocoinmagnolia.com/2013/10/its-great-day-to-be-alive.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (CocoinMagnolia)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3538045393841574427.post-7298261074893344497Thu, 17 Oct 2013 21:12:00 +00002014-05-01T11:36:24.249-07:00mindful momentsGratitude, You Never Know Where You'll Come Across It...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KvjnRma94ek/UmBBt87p7EI/AAAAAAAAGHE/9JhV-X1054A/s1600/IMG_5380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KvjnRma94ek/UmBBt87p7EI/AAAAAAAAGHE/9JhV-X1054A/s400/IMG_5380.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.lhtx.us/">can be purchased through LHTX</a></div><br />Gratitude is a funny thing, it can grab ya and bite 'cha in the hiney when you least expect or need it most. &nbsp;When I am lucky enough to experience a grateful moment, three things come to mind: satisfaction, optimism, and appreciation. &nbsp;Feeling grateful can bring on feelings of being satisfied where I am in life or what I am doing in the now. &nbsp; Gratitude can make me feel optimistic about my path or my future plans. &nbsp;And appreciation for the open heart to receive, the <i>ability</i> to receive, &nbsp;letting go if needed, for the lesson learned, and for this one life I am lucky enough to live.<br /><br />Yesterday, I read a post on instagram from Leigh, owner of my favorite <a href="http://www.lhtx.us/">Texas boutique</a> (Columbus, Tx that is...if your interested). &nbsp;She had a grateful moment that day and shared with all her followers. &nbsp;Her assistant brought her flowers. &nbsp;And she was grateful. &nbsp;As she put it, one of those weird emotional grateful moments. &nbsp;You know, you've been there too. &nbsp;She was Grateful for the flowers, but it seemed more so for the girls who helped her along the way with <a href="http://www.lhtx.us/">LHTX</a>. &nbsp;A little thing, like bringing someone flowers, can evoke a powerful feeling of gratitude of bigger things. &nbsp;One gesture...I'm on it. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">"We must find time to stop and thank the people who make a difference in our lives."</div><div style="text-align: center;">-John F. Kennedy</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/gratitude">via</a></span></div><br />http://www.cocoinmagnolia.com/2013/10/gratitude-you-never-know-where-youll.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (CocoinMagnolia)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3538045393841574427.post-574214842348160960Wed, 16 Oct 2013 17:57:00 +00002013-10-17T14:12:23.271-07:00everyday livingstyleGet 'Cha Some Dudu-Osun<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">What the? &nbsp;Another jacked up still shot. &nbsp;Oh well, check out why I love Dudu on my face.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Oh, yea, I went there.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/5brGuUs32HA/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/5brGuUs32HA?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/5brGuUs32HA?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sevenly.org/">To Write Love on Arms with Sevenly.org</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Help teens fight depression with your purchase.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Chow,</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>http://www.cocoinmagnolia.com/2013/10/get-cha-some-dudu-osun.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (CocoinMagnolia)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3538045393841574427.post-5256326555076376958Thu, 10 Oct 2013 15:09:00 +00002015-02-23T13:51:30.561-08:00mindful momentsAccountability on the Home Front<br /><div style="text-align: center;">"If you hang out with chickens, you're going to cluck and if you hang out with eagles, you're going to fly."</div><div style="text-align: center;">-Steve Maraboli, Unapologetically You: &nbsp;Reflections on Life and the Human Experience<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/L6QcFugUT5U/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/L6QcFugUT5U?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/L6QcFugUT5U?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div><br />My idea of accountability:<br />Admit your fault/s<br />Make an effort to improve, do something!<br />Apply what you know<br /><br />Peace my lovies,<br />"Peace comes from within. &nbsp;Do not seek it without."<br />-Gautama Buddha<br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/accountability">all quotes via</a></span><br /><br /><a href="http://sevenly.org/">Sevenly.org &nbsp;Girl Up! &nbsp;Charity of the week</a></div>http://www.cocoinmagnolia.com/2013/10/accountability-on-home-front.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (CocoinMagnolia)9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3538045393841574427.post-3664152317419511166Wed, 09 Oct 2013 13:40:00 +00002013-10-09T19:33:36.262-07:00styleThis Gal is Made in Texas Baby!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">“I am no bird; and no net ensnares me: I am a free human being with an independent will.”<br />―&nbsp;<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1036615.Charlotte_Bront_" style="color: #666600; text-decoration: none;">Charlotte Brontë</a>,&nbsp;<i><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/2977639" style="color: #666600; text-decoration: none;">Jane Eyre</a></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Can I get a howdy out there? &nbsp;Everyone...meet Leigh!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Owner and operator of <a href="http://www.lhtx.us/">LHTX</a>,&nbsp;a wholesale, resale, and soon to be storefront boutique of all things sweet and sassy in clothing, jewelry, and paintings. &nbsp;And of course, all made here in big 'ol Texas. &nbsp;Leigh sells the most clever tee's you can find AnyWheRe! &nbsp;What I adore most about this online boutique (and soon to be storefront as of October 17), is that she designs every piece herself. &nbsp;So, we...you and me, are getting all original designs. &nbsp;Not only does she design, but she silk screen prints all her clothing as well. &nbsp;And if it can't get any better than that, she also try's her best to source all her materials out of Texas as well. &nbsp;I admire a loyal girl, don't you? &nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Let's hear what Leigh has to say about her passion for fashion. &nbsp;You might be surprised by what her true passion really is and why she decided to become a self-made woman.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Cln_kQwfaIg/UlU3iU9ljtI/AAAAAAAAGGk/tzITBHs9TEI/s1600/lhtx+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Cln_kQwfaIg/UlU3iU9ljtI/AAAAAAAAGGk/tzITBHs9TEI/s640/lhtx+collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif;"><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Q&amp;A with Leigh, owner of <a href="http://www.lhtx.us/">LHTX</a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">What is your philosophy behind your online/storefront boutique?</span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, serif;"></span><br /><div style="color: #181818; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">I believe in small business, especially for women. &nbsp;I am a Go Texan Certified shop owner. &nbsp;Go Texan Certified is a government program that helps promote home grown and home-made small business. &nbsp;I am also a Texas native. &nbsp;So, I believe in having an awareness for Texas products and doing my best to support those products. &nbsp;It is very meaningful to me to be a part of and help promote other small business owners as well. &nbsp;I strive to source out everything that goes into creating my designs from my home state. &nbsp;For example, I am working towards sourcing out my cotton from Texas. &nbsp;I grew up in a family of entrepreneurs, artisans, and women with their own business. &nbsp;This is why creating my own original designs and having my own business comes very naturally to me. &nbsp;</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, serif;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">What sets you apart from other small business owners?</span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, serif;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">All my manufacturing is done in my building. &nbsp;I make all my designs by hand. &nbsp;Also, they are hand silk screened as well. &nbsp;I have six employees that work with me to create &nbsp;high quality, original products. &nbsp;We take pride in giving our customers well made products they can feel good in.</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, serif;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">What do you find most rewarding?</span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, serif;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Owning my own business and being creative. &nbsp;I think women relate to and can be inspired by my designs. I try to encourage and help women to start their own business. &nbsp;Eventually, my goal is to start a non-profit to encourage kids that they too can be successful in what ever they choose for themselves. &nbsp;Like, their sport, grades, or future plans. &nbsp;</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, serif;"></span><br /><div style="color: #181818; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Now, don't you just love her? &nbsp;Leigh is proud to come from a family of hard working ranchers and farmers. &nbsp;I admire her strong work ethic and loyalty to where she comes from. &nbsp;You will find inspiration throughout all the products she sells. Just like her hand made tee states: &nbsp;Follow your arrow wherever it goes!&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Time to scoot, go on, get over there to her grand opening on October 17 in Columbus, Texas and give her a big Texas hello. Or better yet, find yourself a quite spot, sip a cup of tea or glass of wine and start shopping on her online boutique </span><a href="http://www.lhtx.us/" style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">LHTX&nbsp;</a><span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">.</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, serif;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">“A girl should be two things: who and what she wants.”</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">-Coco Chanel</span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">You can find LHTX on instagram <a href="http://instagram.com/lhtxbyleighkhajovsky">here</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div></div>http://www.cocoinmagnolia.com/2013/10/this-gal-is-made-in-texas-baby.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (CocoinMagnolia)7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3538045393841574427.post-7946016740361426603Wed, 02 Oct 2013 13:52:00 +00002013-10-09T19:29:35.694-07:00bon appetitstyleIt's the Simple Things<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">“Simple life and peaceful mind are very close friends!”<br />―&nbsp;<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3164882.Mehmet_Murat_ildan" style="color: #666600; text-decoration: none;">Mehmet Murat ildan</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/simple-life">source</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VDLVhMxJAdk/Ukwgt2PAgEI/AAAAAAAAGGU/bXUP-cRGTik/s1600/IMG_5355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="602" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VDLVhMxJAdk/Ukwgt2PAgEI/AAAAAAAAGGU/bXUP-cRGTik/s640/IMG_5355.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I found my new, of the moment, favorite cup ya'll. &nbsp;And where else... but HEB. &nbsp;Surprise! &nbsp;The brand is Gourmet and it is made of borosilicate glass and has a double wall that creates an isolation barrier (their words not mine). &nbsp;I have no idea what borosilicate glass is, but it sounds fancy and important. &nbsp;And I am too lazy to google it to share with all you wonderful people. &nbsp;I was a sceptic about whether double walled glasses really would keep a hot drink hot or cold drink cold. &nbsp;Well...by golly it works! &nbsp;My latte stayed warm to every last drop. &nbsp;I.am.in.love. &nbsp;I know, I know...if you have been following me you would have heard me jabbering (or as my precious dad would have said, mouthing) on my soap box about how I am, "Decluttering, getting to the bare bones, stripping it down (well...maybe after I loose a few)." But, really I am! &nbsp;I have a whole pile of glasses and coffee mugs/saucers that I am getting ready to donate. &nbsp;So really, I am doing a fantastic job of getting rid of material baggage. Oh, and by the way, it is actually a beer mug. But, it holds a grande latte perfectly. &nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Donate some stuff today ya'll. &nbsp;It feels refreshing!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Namaste,</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>http://www.cocoinmagnolia.com/2013/10/its-simple-things.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (CocoinMagnolia)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3538045393841574427.post-1074949560796342767Tue, 01 Oct 2013 16:28:00 +00002015-02-23T13:59:48.241-08:00mindful momentsLesson's From A Golden Retriever Named Jesse<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">"There's no advantage to hurrying through life." &nbsp;-Shikamaru Nara</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Life's teachers come in all forms. &nbsp;A life teacher can come from a classroom, your religion, a family member, a child, an elder, a friend, an author, a t.v. personality (Oprah!), a blogger, a life experience, or even an animal. &nbsp;All through my adult years, I've had acute awareness of those who have come in, and sometimes out, of my life to teach me something . &nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">I have several in my life right now. &nbsp;One of them, happens to be our family pet Jesse. &nbsp;I am continually reminded of the importance of patience, kindness, and how to live graciously through her spirit. &nbsp;I drink up this girl's spirit. &nbsp;Her whole being is filled with goodness without expectation.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_i3uR703ny8/UkridRmygtI/AAAAAAAAGF0/yZyiayVF5ys/s1600/jesse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_i3uR703ny8/UkridRmygtI/AAAAAAAAGF0/yZyiayVF5ys/s640/jesse.jpg" height="640" width="452" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br />Watching her, I have learned to not let myself be influenced by the ups and downs or ebbs and flows that life presents on a daily basis. &nbsp;That patience is a decision. &nbsp;It's up to me how I react or accept a situation. &nbsp;For example, when Jesse goes for a drink of water out of her bowl, 9 out of 10 times Shatzi (our little malitpoo) will nudge her out of the way and start drinking. &nbsp;Jesse just takes a step back, allows Shatzi to get her 10 second drink</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">, then steps back up and gets her drink. Every time, I am amazed how Jesse just accepts this song and dance. &nbsp;She knows she will get her drink in time, it's not a big deal to wait.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Patience gives us the time to take a step back and look at the bigger picture (we'll all get our drink, day in court as they say, or point of view across). &nbsp;Everyday, Jesse shows me her ability to cope graciously, without annoyance, and with a nonchalant attitude. Having an attitude of detachment, do the right thing without worrying about the result, brings her peace of mind. &nbsp;And with peace of mind you get less stress. &nbsp;A winning combination! &nbsp;I love you Jesse. &nbsp;And btw, Jesse is snoring next to me as I write this post. &nbsp;Life is good.</span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">If you need a gift for one of your life teachers, or just want to treat yourself, head over to <a href="http://sevenly.org/">Sevenly.org</a>. &nbsp;The charity of the week is, The Humane Society of the United States - Fight Animal Cruelty and Abuse.&nbsp;</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Remember, $7 from every purchase goes to this charity. &nbsp;This charity is definitely Jesse approved. &nbsp;And now that you and Jesse are friends, help a girl help her friends.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ffXjYHys3CE/Ukr6--GcXnI/AAAAAAAAGGE/3hdJXgAutiQ/s1600/09fb7dd0422a27e5_Product-Template_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ffXjYHys3CE/Ukr6--GcXnI/AAAAAAAAGGE/3hdJXgAutiQ/s320/09fb7dd0422a27e5_Product-Template_01.jpg" height="320" width="244" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div></div>http://www.cocoinmagnolia.com/2013/10/lessons-from-golden-retriever-named.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (CocoinMagnolia)9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3538045393841574427.post-3439050289370080627Mon, 30 Sep 2013 17:09:00 +00002013-10-01T09:29:20.557-07:00bon appetitCrazy Sexy Kitchen Ya'll, Say What?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hey Ya'll, I'm baaaack!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's been a crazy two months. &nbsp;I reached a moment in early August, where I felt overwhelmed with blogging. &nbsp;I've read about bloggers who have gone through the same thing. &nbsp;You know, feeling like they needed a break from it all. &nbsp; I didn't expect it to happen to me after only 6 months of blogging, but I guess it was my turn. &nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But, here I am, back at it and ready to rock and roll. &nbsp;I hope you enjoy my little video talking about someone I have recently discovered, Kris Carr. &nbsp;She is a wellness activist and cancer thriver. &nbsp;Go check out her website, <a href="http://kriscarr.com/">kriscarr.com</a>, and see why I am talking about her fabulous cookbook and beautiful spirit. &nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/P70K3HX0UZ4/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/P70K3HX0UZ4?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/P70K3HX0UZ4?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">As my brother says, "If it's to be, it's up to me."</div><div style="text-align: center;">Chow,</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>http://www.cocoinmagnolia.com/2013/09/crazy-sexy-kitchen-yall-say-what.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (CocoinMagnolia)9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3538045393841574427.post-3161061343004592722Thu, 08 Aug 2013 18:10:00 +00002013-08-08T18:12:16.044-07:00mindful momentsSimple, Small Goals<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_5Cu1svMlGM/UgO6OgBygbI/AAAAAAAAGEY/E2B56YwMsbg/s1600/DSCF2851.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_5Cu1svMlGM/UgO6OgBygbI/AAAAAAAAGEY/E2B56YwMsbg/s640/DSCF2851.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">I am motivated this week to set some simple, small goals for myself. &nbsp;Goals come in all shapes and sizes. &nbsp;They do not need to be large in scale. &nbsp;Sometimes we need small ones to get us back on track or moving in different direction. &nbsp;Setting goals can be a powerful experience. Goals can help boost self-confidence, help keep the mind concentrated and focused, and give a feeling of accomplishment and pride. Here are my itty-bitty's.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Small goal number one: &nbsp;</i>Slow down and pay attention to the details. &nbsp;I have been absent minded lately. I have not been taking notes on things that are pressing. &nbsp;I think I can take a mental note and be ok. &nbsp;And then I get an email about something I forgot to do for someone. Yea, not working for me. &nbsp;So today, I will start every morning with a to-do-list to stay organized in my mind and life. And in the evening make adjustments for the next day.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Small goal number two: &nbsp;</i>Return emails in a timely manner. &nbsp;Meaning, get my crack on it and stop procrastinating. &nbsp;I am brilliant at putting off an email. &nbsp;I get side-tracked, distracted, or think to myself, "I'll get to that later." &nbsp;And then later becomes two days or a week. <br /><i><br /></i><i>Small goal number three: &nbsp;</i>Stop&nbsp;and smell the roses (or the flowers for that matter). &nbsp;By the way, &nbsp;I enjoy my 'lil Peanuts photography. &nbsp;I think she has a great eye for finding beauty behind a lense. &nbsp;Back on topic. &nbsp;By slowing down, what I mean is to take time and appreciate the small, simple, and overlooked pleasures of life.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">"When you arise in the morning,</div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive,</div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love, then make that day count!"&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">―&nbsp;<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4491185.Steve_Maraboli" style="color: #666600; text-decoration: none;">Steve Maraboli</a>,&nbsp;<i><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/14708444" style="color: #666600; text-decoration: none;">Life, the Truth, and Being Free</a></i></span></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/appreciation">source</a></span></span></div></div>http://www.cocoinmagnolia.com/2013/08/simple-small-goals.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (CocoinMagnolia)15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3538045393841574427.post-8476111385091935717Tue, 06 Aug 2013 14:56:00 +00002013-08-08T18:12:26.014-07:00mindful momentsHallulur! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hallulur, I am so thankful <a href="http://sevenly.org/">Sevenly</a> contacted me. &nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Check out how YOU and Sevenly helped children around the world.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/fZrqYIFYc90/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/fZrqYIFYc90?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/fZrqYIFYc90?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.”&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">―&nbsp;</span><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/239579.Charles_Dickens" style="background-color: white; color: #666600; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">Charles Dickens</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/helping-others">source</a></span></div>http://www.cocoinmagnolia.com/2013/08/hallulur.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (CocoinMagnolia)11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3538045393841574427.post-5534774951784307801Sat, 03 Aug 2013 03:16:00 +00002013-08-02T18:23:28.849-07:00mindful momentsstyleWhere People Matter ~ Sevenly<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Leading a generation to generosity with a belief that people matter.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">-<a href="http://sevenly.org/">Sevenly.org</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Holy note to self, Batman! &nbsp;When checking your email, always skim through your spam box before hitting 'delete all.' &nbsp;You never know, there just might be a blessing (for you <span style="font-size: xx-small;">wink</span>&nbsp;and for me) sitting amongst the lost and lonely. &nbsp;Example number 1: an email from&nbsp;<a href="http://www.sevenly.org/our-story">Sevenly.org</a>,&nbsp;<span style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;a social good lifestyle brand that uses art and fashion to raise funds and awareness for charities each week. &nbsp;I was asked if I would like to help promote hope and improve lives of those less fortunate. &nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Well, heck yea I would! Sign me up, where's the dotted line?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><u>Their mission:</u>&nbsp; to lead a generation toward generosity with the belief that people matter.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><u>Their goal:</u> &nbsp;to activate intentional generosity and love for others.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><u>Their idea:</u> &nbsp;create a weekly cause campaign where customers can purchase products that give back $7 to a weekly charity.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><u>How it works</u>: &nbsp;By purchasing a product that gives money to a weekly cause they support. &nbsp;And hopefully, encourage you and me (the donors) to connect deeper with the charity we supported through our purchase.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><u>Results of their efforts:</u>&nbsp; over 2.4 million dollars raised to date!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><u>Products:</u> &nbsp;<a href="http://www.sevenly.org/products?category=womens">women's clothing</a>, <a href="http://www.sevenly.org/products?category=accessories">accessories</a>, <a href="http://www.sevenly.org/products?category=mens">men's clothing</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.sevenly.org/products?category=childrens">children's</a>&nbsp;<a href="http://www.sevenly.org/products?category=childrens">clothing/blankets/stuffed animals</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This weeks campaign, <a href="http://www.sevenly.org/our-story">END7</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">END7 is an international advocacy campaign seeking to eliminate seven neglected tropical diseases (NTDS) by 2020. &nbsp;These diseases include elephantiasis, river blindness, trachoma, snail fever, hookworm, whipworm, and roundworm. One packet of pills that cost 50¢ can treat one child for a year.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This cause is near to my heart. &nbsp;We lived in the jungle of Southeast Asia and I saw children swimming and bathing in murky waters of drainage ditches and contaminated rivers. &nbsp;I understand how important health care is in countries where there is limited health education due to poverty. &nbsp;So, h<span style="text-align: center;">ow can you help today? &nbsp;Enter below to win this exotic and trendy tee from Sevenly's&nbsp;</span><a href="http://www.sevenly.org/products?category=womens" style="text-align: center;">website</a><span style="text-align: center;">. &nbsp;This tee will provide $7 towards the END7 campaign. &nbsp;Why that adds up to 14 packets of pills to be given to children in tropical regions.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iWhUXYM_mBc/UfraFm9EM1I/AAAAAAAAGD4/3bQSRneN__c/s1600/9cdb39be699c4dd1_Product-Template_09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iWhUXYM_mBc/UfraFm9EM1I/AAAAAAAAGD4/3bQSRneN__c/s400/9cdb39be699c4dd1_Product-Template_09.jpg" width="296" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.sevenly.org/product/51e8673348defe020400000a">source</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Native American headdress is a symbol of bravery and protection as it is only worn by a leader who has done honorable things for his tribe. &nbsp;This symbol of protection is used to depict the protection provided to each child from each honorable contribution to this charity.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So let's get started<br />Enter below.<br /><a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/d206301/" id="rc-d206301" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script><br /><br />available size M<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://img.youtube.com/vi/-twpH8xS-a8/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/-twpH8xS-a8&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/-twpH8xS-a8&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div><span style="color: #8e9596; font-family: ars-maquette-web, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 22px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">“No one has ever become poor by giving.”<br />―&nbsp;<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3720.Anne_Frank" style="color: #666600; text-decoration: none;">Anne Frank</a>,&nbsp;<i><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/3532896" style="color: #666600; text-decoration: none;">diary of Anne Frank</a></i></span></span><br /><span style="color: #8e9596; font-family: ars-maquette-web, arial, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small; line-height: 22px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/helping-others">source</a></span></span></div>http://www.cocoinmagnolia.com/2013/08/where-people-matter-sevenly.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (CocoinMagnolia)7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3538045393841574427.post-3800717994021657084Tue, 30 Jul 2013 22:11:00 +00002013-08-02T07:46:56.803-07:00mindful momentsLove<div style="text-align: center;">I am liberated by this teaching. &nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://img.youtube.com/vi/cbecKv2xR14/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/cbecKv2xR14&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/cbecKv2xR14&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbecKv2xR14">via</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">I have so much to learn.<br />We have so much to learn.<br />I have so much love to give.<br />We have so much love to give.<br />I will liberate out of love.<br />You will liberate out of love.</div><div style="text-align: center;">L.E.T.L.O.V.E. L.I.B.E.R.A.T.E.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>http://www.cocoinmagnolia.com/2013/07/love.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (CocoinMagnolia)14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3538045393841574427.post-1612262967226956613Fri, 26 Jul 2013 12:56:00 +00002015-02-23T13:52:02.062-08:00mindful momentsStep Out of the Box<div style="text-align: center;">BOX</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8e23gRiD5JQ/UfIB_13jcVI/AAAAAAAAGDI/3MhdtkHpknw/s1600/IMG_3358.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8e23gRiD5JQ/UfIB_13jcVI/AAAAAAAAGDI/3MhdtkHpknw/s640/IMG_3358.PNG" height="388" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I am thinking...I don't want to be put in a box and labeled by myself, family, friends, or Heaven forbid, society. &nbsp;So my question, am I my worst critic and have I created the box and stamped labels all over it? &nbsp;Labels, pff. &nbsp;Labels are restricting, tight, limiting, and suffocating. &nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">What do you want to say about your life? &nbsp;What defines you? &nbsp;What doesn't define you? &nbsp;The definitions come in many forms. &nbsp;Is it your politics, religious affiliation, designer loves, education, job, husband's job, situation, family, age, are you nice, or bitchy? &nbsp;They can be new, old, how we see it, or how we think other's see it.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Labels, are they absolute? Absolutely not. How do I go about to get rid of those confining labels? &nbsp;Well, I have learned that how I talk to myself matters. &nbsp;I am what I believe I am. What I say to myself makes a difference. If I ignore the fears that creep in the night, then tomorrow I can thoughtfully change my focus and direction. &nbsp;Through awareness, I can rip those confining labels off and put on a fresh coat of unlimited potential. I don't want labels to limit my future, the present moment, or narrow my vision of myself or others. &nbsp;My identity is not wrapped up in my home, job, children, or whatever it is I have chosen to blanket myself in. &nbsp;I am all things. &nbsp;That's when I am able to understand myself better. &nbsp;And keep asking myself, am I fulfilling someone else's expectations or my own? I don't ever want to be stuck sitting in a box and not able to recognize my gifts. &nbsp;I'm stepping out of my box today. &nbsp;I am all things.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">“Labels are for filing. Labels are for clothing. Labels are not for people.”&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">―&nbsp;</span><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/64501.Martina_Navratilova" style="background-color: white; color: #666600; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">Martina Navratilova</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/labeling">source</a></span></div><br /></div>http://www.cocoinmagnolia.com/2013/07/step-out-of-box.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (CocoinMagnolia)5